Post Match Reaction vs Walsall

Failing to beat strugglers Walsall yesterday could spell the end of our hopes for automatic promotion as we showed no evidence that we're capable of gaining a top 2 place.

Questions need to be answered after another lacklustre performance. Our defence has been an obvious problem lately and a new loan signing in Keith Lowe is on the bench, with Forbes out of position at right back.

I wrote not long back about the playing and mangerial staff saying every week that we can still go up, it's so easy to tell the fans that but they need to doing their talking on the pitch instead of via the media.

Kenny Jackett said: ''Every one of us, including myself, can do a lot better than that,''

''We didn't have enough energy or belief, our passing wasn't good enough, we didn't link the play and there wasn't any tempo to the game.

''From myself down we have got to do a lot better.''

''Of course it crosses your mind that games like this will cost you promotion, but I'm not worrying about that,''

''But for sure, we need to change our performance level if we want to get there because this wasn't good enough.

''Things have to improve very, very quickly.''

Things should have improved months ago Jackett.

He added: ''All the games are massive now, which should be looked on as a positive, We should enjoy that. The fact there's pressure on us to achieve should spur us on.'

Adebayo Akinfenwa scored to put us in front in the LDV Vans Trophy last Tuesday and he saved the day again yesterday but he had mixed emotions of the game.

'On the one hand I'm happy that I scored, but on the other hand I'm disappointed I missed the chance that would've won us the game,'

'We're disappointed because we know we're better than this,'

'We're drawing too many games. We set a high standard at the start of the season, but we haven't maintained that.

'But there are nine games to go and we've just got to fix up real quick.

'I do feel it's still in our hands. Everyone's having a bit of a slip and if we can beat Brentford on Friday night, perhaps it will be their turn to go down.' he added.

Paul Devlin, who scored Walsall's opener in the first half said the late equaliser was hard to take but there were plenty of positives to come out of the game.

'In a way it feels like a defeat but if you look at the big picture it's a really good point,'

'We bossed the game and had the better chances.

They hardly bossed the game though. We dominated possession despite the stats saying otherwise and it was only when our defence left gaps open with balls over the top that they created opportunities.

'Swansea are a good side and not many teams will come here and create three or four really good chances.

'It was heartbreaking at the end when the ball took a wicked deflection and looped over Oakesy. But a point at Swansea is a creditable point and it showed we're definitely moving in the right direction.'

Defending for their goal was appauling, but Devlin said it was a training routine devised by the manager.

He said: 'The gaffer's got to take credit for that because he's had us working at it over the last couple of days,'

'We practised on the training ground and it's great when something like that comes off. It was a great ball in from Ossie. He put it on a plate for me.

It's also easy Paul when you're unmarked as well.

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All it takes is for one or two of the top clubs to slip up. Remember it can only get worse for teams like Brentford and Southend! As they are only winning at the moment, we have to sort it out for Brentford otherwise they'll show us how to win comfortably!

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